California Apparel News

Half the blonde brigade from “The Hills” was there: Whitney Port, Lo Bosworth and Stephanie Pratt. Model-turned-actress Caroline D’Amore (who was a bestie of Paris Hilton before you had to compete for the spot on a reality show) mixed the tunes. An assortment of glossy-tressed, leggy, high-heeled pretty girls sipped chardonnay. It was a thoroughly West L.A. crowd at the Undrest pop-up shop launch party on Nov. 12.

Undrest founder Maria Paz Navales put together the pop-up shop on Robertson Boulevard in a pinch of less than two weeks. A few years ago, seeing a “For Lease” sign on Robertson that was in walking distance from power lunch spot The Ivy was as rare as finding a pair of 32-waist-size women's jeans at Kitson. How the tables have turned.

“Because of the economy, there are these little opportunities that if you search, you’ll find them,” said Navales of renting temporary space on the trendy shopping block. The store will be open through January 2010.

Inside is the complete Undrest collection of Supima cotton loungewear and underwear (including designs from Navales' very first season); crochet loungewear; the higher-end Undrest Haute Couture line in silk and fine lace; and Undrest by the Sea swimwear. The urge for Navales to open a store in L.A. was spurred by the designer's visit to Paris, where many of the best French lingerie designers (Fifi Chachnil, Cadolle and Chantal Thomass) have their own boutiques. “I want to do a store that gives you a feeling and a vibe. I wanted to be able to showcase my whole collection.”

A snapshot of all the ranges can be seen in a darling display of Barbie dolls that wear miniature-size versions of the designs, made with remarkable accuracy down to the ribbon ties, ruffles and lace. “I was so tired of traveling to [trade] shows with my whole collection that I wanted to make them for Barbies and just show the collection with Barbies,” laughed Navales, who will still be bringing life-size versions of the clothes along with her. But at least now, “It gives the buyer something fun to do. They can play around.”

Barbie dolls wear mini versions of Undrest

Navales added accessories especially for the pop-up store, such as a line of jewelry made with vintage materials and lacey gloves